Adjectives

1. gran

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Same form for both genders; plural "grans". It is the opposite of "petit" (small). Applied to a person it means "elderly" instead

2. petit

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "petita", plurals "petits / petites"

3. pesat

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "pesada", plurals "pesats / pesades"

4. lleuger

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "lleugera"; light in weight — light in colour is "clar"

5. car

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "cara"; "És massa car!" opens a negotiation

6. barat

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "barata", plurals "barats / barates"

7. calent

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   Hot to the touch; feminine "calenta". Weather is "Fa calor"

8. fred

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   Cold to the touch; feminine "freda". Weather is "Fa fred"

9. nou

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Feminine "nova", plurals "nous / noves"

10. vell

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Old as in an object; feminine "vella". Applied to a person it is somewhat rude

11. jove

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    Same form for both genders; plural "joves"

12. gran

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    For people "gran" means elderly: "una persona gran". It is the opposite of "jove" (young); for an old object the word is "vell". The same spelling also means "big"

13. net

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "neta"; "clean" only — beautiful is "bonic"

14. brut

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "bruta", plurals "bruts / brutes"

15. bo

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "bona"; "bon" before a noun

16. dolent

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "dolenta"; "mal" also works for poor quality

17. a prop

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

    Grammar Note

    An adverbial phrase: "És a prop?" The adjective is "proper"

18. lluny

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    An adverb; "És lluny?" is the traveller's standard question

19. aviat

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    Early in time; fast in speed is "ràpid"

20. tard

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    Late in time; slow in speed is "lent"

21. molts

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Masculine plural; "moltes" with feminine nouns, "molt" for amounts

22. pocs

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

    Grammar Note

    Masculine plural; "poques" with feminine nouns, "poc" for amounts

23. Fa calor

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the impersonal verb "fer"; a hot object is "calent"

24. Fa fred

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the impersonal verb "fer"; a cold object is simply "fred"

25. maco

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "maca"; a distinct word from Spanish "majo" — don't borrow the Spanish form

26. guai

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    Invariable colloquial word, the counterpart of Spanish "guay"; its origin is debated

27. deliciós

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "deliciosa"

28. increïble

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Same form for both genders

29. divertit

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "divertida"

30. més

    More

    Usage

    Asks for a refill or an extra; goes before the noun, as in "Més aigua, si us plau"

31. només una mica

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for a small amount when food is being served or a glass refilled

32. la meitat

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half a portion, or to split a cost down the middle

33. tot

    All / everything

    Usage

    Means all of it — the base for "I'll take the lot" at a market or "all on one bill"

34. És suficient

    That's enough

    Usage

    A neutral way to stop someone serving you more. "Prou!" is a hard stop, so use "És suficient" at the table

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